This is a tale about my social anxiety in Junior High School
I hope they aren't looking at me badly.
HA ! HA! HA!
Really sorry about this dude they're a bit loud.
Hey dude ! are you also new here ? wanna be friends with us ?.
If its ok with you guys, then sure.
Back in Grade 7 my first day in Junior HighSchool, I was a shy and unconfident kid who thought that everyone looks at me with disdain and that if I ever try talking to them they would just ignore me and even get away from me. back then, I always thought that I will never have friends and that I'll be going to have lunch alone. I really had a weak mentality back then that I was really conscious on what I do because of what the people around might say.
Yeah bro! let's go
Cy ! wanna grab lunch with the boys ?
As I was having lunch, there were these 3 kids who were apparently my classmates who suddenly approached me asking if I wanted to be friends with them which at first was a bit hesitant in accepting. but after spending time with them I gradually came to be comfortable around them and was able to express myself.
I went through a lot. but here i am now.
From then on, we always hung out with each other in which our circle gradually grew as time went by. They were the reason why I was able to accept myself and embrace my flaws. I also learned from them how to appreciate, and love myself. From there as time went by, my mental health gradually improved little by little I was able to be more active and confident in myself. From then on I learned how to approach people which my circle of friends gradually grew as time went by.
Now that I am a college student, I would always look back to that past thinking of the adversity that I had to overcome which was my anxiety, and become the man I am now.
I would often read books that tackle the topic of anxiety and think of my young -self and congratulate myself for being able to overcome it. looking back, what helped me was the support that I received from my friends which boosted my self-esteem. starting there I gradually learned that loving, appreciating, caring, and motivating myself was the answer to my problems. although it might be hard for others I believe that in time they will also learn to love themselves like me.
These strategies led to where I am now, a confident college student that is ready to take on challenges that will come my way. Now, I am someone who can confidently say that I can help other people that's going through similar things and maybe be able to give them some word of advice that may assist them in overcoming their problems as well.